I didn’t feel sick or anything. I just didn’t feel so great as far as the workouts go, so I didn’t workout as well. I still completed the workouts, I just didn’t try as hard.

I know, that’s not a great strategy. I’m hoping I improve this week and put more into it. I think I was a bit bummed as I’ve been more active the past couple weeks than I had been in a while but my weight is still hovering around the same level. I’m going to work harder this week at eating better and not bothering to weigh myself for a couple weeks.

I figure with this strategy I’ll be more focused on making improvements in my performance rather than my weight. I’ll have something that will be better rewarded to shoot for and hopefully the weight drops as a byproduct of that. We’ll see…

I’m also going to try and put more miles on the bike this week. I don’t have a good strategic/training reason for it, frankly. I just miss being able to ride at the same level I used to, so this week I’m going to try to do a little about that.

First of all, I’ve no intention of updating as frequently here as I have been. I know if I even try to keep this pace going I’ll be so sick of writing within another two weeks or so. So don’t count on that – you hear me all 0 of you followers?

Secondly, today was the first rest day. I had planned on spending it with some great friends of mine and their daughters at our local highland games. We’ve been trying to make it to this shindig for the last seven years or so, but inevitably something gets in the way every year. Someone’s out of town, someone else has a college graduation, someone’s uncle’s brother’s mother’s birthday is that weekend. It never fails.

This year there was nothing to keep us from going. We planned around it a month or two ago, and nothing would be planned in its place- we were going to make it this year.

Then yesterday I get a phone call from my friend. “I win” is all he says when I answer.

“What?” I was pretty sure he was going to go for a bike ride yesterday, so I figured it was in some way related to our triathlon training (he’s one of the two friends I mentioned would also be doing this triathlon).

Up until this point he didn’t sound at all like there was anything unusual going on. Frankly, I assumed he was kidding.

However, given the tone of the start of this post, I’m assuming those of you reading this have already guessed otherwise. Sure enough, he was headed to the emergency room, possibly with a broken hip. His helmet had also been cracked, as his head hit the pavement pretty hard. As a testament to helmet-wearing, he didn’t even feel a little headache.

I found out a few hours later that he hadn’t broken his hip, but would be on crutches a few days, which meant, for about eight years running, no trip to the highland games.

For him. I was going, dangit.

And I had a blast.

For Anyone interested, one of my favorite groups was there, a band called Albannach. They put bagpipes over tribal drums with the occasional vocals. Here’s one of their tunes from their first set today. (I left before their second. Unfortunately I was very tired and sun-drained.)

Well, my first week has been telling. Fortunately it hasn’t all been bad. I’m starting off slow, which only makes sense, but my first week has consisted of two swim sessions, two bike sessions, four runs and one rest day. Until I started this training I expected my run would be my weakest area. Between that and a friend of mine suggesting a run [however short] after each bike ride, I’m getting in a fair amount of running- which I’m both okay with, and completely hating. Well, not completely…

I was clearly wrong on what my weakest leg would be though. It’s certainly swimming. I really should have expected that… Maybe I’ll touch on that another day. Frankly I’m too tired to right now.

My cycling ability is far from where it used to be. I did a 35 mile ride this week with a buddy of mine. He’s also doing this triathlon. I made it through the 35, but since it’s been a while since I’ve done a long ride, I struggled a bit. I’ll get it back.

For the most part, however, I’m very excited about the way this week has gone. Not so much on my ability, but that I’ve held to a training regimen. I’ve never actually followed a regimen in any sort of athletic activity. I mean, I’ve enjoyed cycling and at some points have cycled a few times a week, but I’ve never had a plan for it. I was just riding to ride. I’m very excited that I’ve held to the routine this week. I’m pretty confident that will make it easier to keep going the next couple weeks. I figure by then it should pretty well come more naturally than not.

That’s usually a nice thought in cycling. You can see all the cars ahead, and those behind can see you from way back, so no worries there. That’s nice and all.

The long road ahead of me right now though… well, it’s more daunting. I can see what’s ahead and I know what I need to get through. But it feels big at this point. My understanding – and hope – is that it gets easier and more enjoyable as I go along. That’s not to say I’m miserable right now; I’m enjoying this little trek. I just took too long away from this kin of stuff.

I went for a 35 mile ride yesterday. Not bad for not having ridden in a while. And I realize that. I’m just a little bummed that I’m not where I used to be. I know, it will come back. Especially since I plan to be training harder than I have before, as I had no real goals before, I just rode my bike when I felt like it. Having this goal will be helpful, and I’m excited about that.

I just have some work to do. I’m pretty confident that within a couple weeks I’ll have my cycling legs back. Hopefully soon after I’ll have my cycling weight back, and I think that alone will help immensely. It’s interesting how much of a difference an extra 30 pounds or so can make.

Today is the first day of my 12 weeks of training between now and the race. It will be time to really buckle down and get started actually training for this beast. Well – Monday will be anyway, Sundays will be rest days for me. Regardless, I’m excited to be starting down this road.

It’s not set in stone yet, but it might as well be. Three months from now I will be doing my first triathlon, a sprint here locally. As motivation I have two friends joining me – what better motivation than trash talk and friendly bets? I’m also going to attempt to maintain this blog as a means of motivation – something public that gives some indicator of my progress.

And I have a long way to go.

Why? Well, for one, I am absolutely not a swimmer. I dread this swim. Don’t get me wrong, I love the water. I’ve always loved being in and around water. And while I wouldn’t say I’m weak in the water, I’m certainly not strong. Thankfully this triathlon is only a 400m pool swim. Often sprint-distance triathlons are 800m and in open water, so I think this 400m in a pool thing will be a good way to ease into the swimming aspect of the tri – which is very nice since that’s where I have the least experience. I’ll still need to work hard in this area, though, and after the swim I had earlier this week, I certainly thing I could grow to enjoy this part of the tri.

The bike leg is where I’m least concerned. I don’t expect to be amazing – have I mentioned yet that part of my motivation for this thing is to get myself back in decent shape? Yeah, so I don’t expect to set any records here, but I’m comfortable on the bike. I know it, I somewhat know what I’m doing, and I know I can cycle the 15 or so miles without a problem. I just need to get to where I can do that and immediately follow it with the run.

Ugh… the run. You know, I take back what I said earlier. I don’t dread the swim the most- it’s the run I’m not looking forward to. I know I have more experience running than swimming, but that also means that swimming is still fun for me. That is until I potentially ruin it with all the swimming I’ll be doing over the next three months. Then again, I’ll be running quite a bit, too. Maybe I can always hate the run more than the swim…

Regardless, my first triathlon is coming up in three months. I officially start training Sunday. It’s time to start getting ready.

Oh, and for the record, my goal isn’t to do incredibly well at the race. My goal is merely to finish and feel good about how I did. I’ll worry about placement if I do more tris in the future.

Any tips for a first timer – maybe something you wish you knew your first time? Or maybe even thoughts on training regimen?